
Elk Ragu Pasta
A rich, slow-simmered elk ragu made with tender ground or shredded elk, tomatoes, red wine, and herbs, served over pasta. This classic-style sauce highlights the bold flavour of lean Canadian elk meat and is perfect for hearty, comforting meals.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Servings: 4 Servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Ingredients:
🥩 Ragu
- 2 lb elk ground or shredded
- 1 onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
🍝 For Serving
- Cooked pasta tagliatelle, pappardelle, or fettuccine
- Grated parmesan optional
- Fresh parsley optional
Method
Instructions:
Sauté Base
- Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Brown Elk
- Add elk, breaking it up. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Build Flavour
- Stir in tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes to deepen flavour.
Deglaze
- Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 3–5 minutes.
Add Tomatoes
- Add crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Stir well.
Simmer
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1.5–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Finish & Serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve over pasta and top with parmesan and fresh parsley.
Notes
Slow simmering develops rich flavour. Elk is lean, so avoid overcooking early — let the sauce do the work. This ragu pairs best with wide pasta like pappardelle.

Ground Elk $60.73/KG - ($27.55/LB)
Juicy, lean, and versatile — perfect for burgers, tacos, meatballs, or chili. Lower fat than beef with a deliciously rich flavour that makes everyday meals feel gourmet.